Jacqueline Plau
Developing a Therapeutic Strategy for Blinding Eye Diseases
Summary
When light hits our eyes, special cells called photoreceptors convert the light into electrical signals for our brains, enabling us to see. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in this visual process. However, sometimes the process goes awry and causes the accumulation of toxic byproducts of Vitamin A in the eye. This is found in common eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt disease and can ultimately lead to blindness. Stopping the overproduction of these byproducts may be a potential approach for treating these diseases. My project describes a new methodology for controlling Vitamin A byproducts in the eye by developing drug candidates and assessing their potential effects in animal models of human eye diseases.
To me, being a PhRMA Foundation awardee means that genuine hard work and effort can and will pay off — no matter where you come from or whom you know. I owe the PhRMA Foundation not only my deepest gratitude but also my utmost respect.
